LogCaster 3

Ripples LogCaster update provides flexible monitoring and alerting system for sites running Windows 2000 or NT, and it offers basic monitoring support for any TCP/IP-based server. LogCasters alerting skills, plus its ability to respond to its findings, guarantee increased server availability and uptime, but Ripples upfront workstation licensing costs makes widespread system development a tougher sell.

LONG-TERM BUSINESS IMPACT // LogCaster scales well as the number of monitored servers increases. Its ability to restart services or run applications and batch files as responses to user-defined conditions will free administrators from attending manually to every problem.
Can monitor any TCP/IP device; integrates well with Syslogs; ODBC- and Unicode-compliant.
Lacks a Web-based remote console; workstation licensing fee is too high; no 24-by-7 support.
Ripple Technologies Inc., Washington Crossing, Pa.; (215)321-9600; www.rippletech.com

Andrew cut his teeth as a systems administrator at the University of California, learning the ins and outs of server migration, Windows desktop management, Unix and Novell administration. After a tour of duty as a team leader for PC Magazine's Labs, Andrew turned to system integration - providing network, server, and desktop consulting services for small businesses throughout the Bay Area. With eWEEK Labs since 2003, Andrew concentrates on wireless networking technologies while moonlighting with Microsoft Windows, mobile devices and management, and unified communications. He produces product reviews, technology analysis and opinion pieces for eWEEK.com, eWEEK magazine, and the Labs' Release Notes blog. Follow Andrew on Twitter at andrewrgarcia, or reach him by email at agarcia@eweek.com.